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Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act Two years ago, then- President Clinton administratively protected roadless areas of Alaska's Tongass and Chugach national forests, and wild forest areas in 37 other states, when he signed the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Since then, however, Bush administration directives have undermined the Roadless Rule, putting Alaska's rainforests back on the chopping block. Supporters of Alaska's wild forests, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), are now working to permanently safeguard wild areas of the Tongass and Chugach so that the fate of the forests does not lie solely with the Roadless Rule. The Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act, authored by DeLauro, would protect more than 14 million acres of the Tongass and Chugach from clearcut logging, mining, roadbuilding, and other development, while allowing recreation, tourism, fishing, hunting, and traditional subsistence activities to continue. "The Alaska rainforest is a world-class treasure owned by the American people, but it is being given away to special interests," said DeLauro, who first introduced the bill in 2001. "Administrative protections are no longer sufficient. This legislation has been carefully crafted to restore the balance among competing interests back in favor of the American people." DeLauro is expected to reintroduce the bill into the House of Representatives in late February. Write or call your representative and ask him or her to cosponsor the Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act. The legislation will need cosponsors both before and after its introduction into Congress. Write: U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 Call: Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121 Here's a sample letter you can use Tips for writing effective letters Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club